Malaysian Home Ministry obtains stay on 'Allah' ruling

Kuala Lumpur, Jan 7 (ANI): Malaysia's Home Ministry has obtained a stay of execution from High Court Justice Lau Bee Lan on her earlier ruling allowing catholic newspaper the Herald to use the word "Allah".

Attorney-General Abdul Gani Patail said he was grateful that lawyers representing the Titular Roman Catholic Archbishop Murphy Pakiam, as publisher of the Herald, agreed to the stay, which was granted in chambers.

The Herald editor, Father Lawrence Andrew, said the church agreed to the stay out of love for the nation.

"As Christians we are taught to love and not hate people. We have no ill-will and we sincerely hope it will simmer down the anger, protests and demonstrations against the Catholic Church," The Star quoted him, as saying.

Abdul Gani urged the public not to assume something was wrong just because the matter was raised speedily in court.

"I requested for the stay of execution to be heard quickly. The faster the matter is settled, the better it will be for everyone in the country. We will try to have the matter heard as soon as possible in the Court of Appeal. I believe it can be very soon," he said.

The Herald's lawyer, Derek Fernandez, said the Attorney-General requested for the stay on grounds of national interest.

The Home Ministry had filed an appeal at the court on Monday. (ANI)